Why Vic Schaefer is 'befuddled' by Texas basketball's dominant win ahead of Oregon game

It wasn’t Texas women’s basketball’s best start in the first round of the NCAA Tournament . Those close enough to the hardwood could hear, head coach Vic Schafer’s sharp, foot stomp when the Longhorns gave up a basket on an inbounds play during their opening defensive possession. Schaefer was "befuddled" by Texas' defense throughout the game.

"We just weren't sharp in a lot of areas," he said to media. Still, the Longhorns dominated to beat Missouri State 87-45 and will play No. 8 Oregon in the second round Sunday.

But the key to a deep run in the tournament — and Texas returning to the Final Four for the second straight year — is playing with consistency. "It's March, and there's a huge emphasis on every single game," guard Jordan Lee said Friday night after the game. "But at the same time, we're kind of dusting off some rust.

" Texas Longhorns guard Sarah Graves (6) celebrates with guard Bryanna Preston (1) following the Longhorns’ 87-45 win over the Missouri State Bears in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Moody Center in Austin, March 20, 2026. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman) Texas continues to find a way Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) dribbles down the court after a steal in the first quarter as the Texas Longhorns play the Missouri State Bears in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Moody Center in Austin, March 20, 2026. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman) It's been two weeks since won the SEC tournament and Missouri State was the first team Texas has seen since.